Dr. Jesse Steinfeld, who became the first surgeon general ever forced out of office by the president after he campaigned hard against smoking during the Richard Nixon era, died Tuesday. He was 87.

Dr. Steinfeld died Tuesday in a nursing home in suburban Pomona (Los Angeles County) following a stroke he suffered about a month ago, said his daughter, Susan Steinfeld of La Cañada Flintridge (Los Angeles County).

"He laid the groundwork for us to be better people and make the world a better place," she said.

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In office, Dr. Steinfeld provoked the ire of the tobacco industry for his stubborn efforts to publicize the hazards of smoking. He changed cigarette package labels that lukewarmly stated tobacco use might be connected to health problems.

Dr. Steinfeld's label boldly warned: "The surgeon general has determined that smoking is hazardous to your health."

He issued a report in 1971 that argued for tighter restrictions on smoking in public to protect people from secondhand smoke. He promoted bans on smoking in restaurants, theaters, planes and other public places - decades before such prohibitions became commonplace.

"It's a good lesson for everyone on how long it takes to change public opinion," said another daughter, Mary Beth Steinfeld of Sacramento.

Dr. Steinfeld refused to meet with tobacco industry lobbyists and hung signs around his office that read, "Thank you for not smoking," she said.

Dr. Steinfeld believed his antitobacco stance led to Nixon's request for his resignation at the start of Nixon's second term.

"He always used to talk about how he thought the tobacco companies were pressuring Nixon to get rid of him," Mary Beth Steinfeld said.

After Dr. Steinfeld left office, the position of surgeon general remained vacant until President Jimmy Carter appointed Dr. Julius Richmond in 1977.

The only other surgeon general to be forced out of office was Dr. Joycelyn Elders, who resigned under pressure in 1994 during President Bill Clinton's administration.

In addition to his two daughters, Dr. Steinfeld is survived by another daughter, Jody Stefansson of Pasadena; his wife, Gen, of Pomona, and two grandchildren.

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